Defence HQ and NEMA submit preliminary reports on Baga to President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Military High Command, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for their swift response to his order for immediate action to investigate the incident in Baga, Borno state, assist and rehabilitate the victims, and make all necessary findings available to the government.

President Jonathan gave the commendation after receiving preliminary reports of the investigations carried out by the Military High Command and NEMA into the incident.

President Jonathan also welcomed the plan by the National Human Rights Commission to carry out independent investigations.

Thanking the Military High Command and NEMA for the reports, President Jonathan said that investigations must continue, and assured them of his fullest support. He further reiterated his earlier position that where any kind of misconduct is established, the Federal Government will not hesitate in ensuring that due sanctions are enforced and that justice is done.  

The President said that what happened in Baga, was most regrettable and unfortunate. He reaffirmed his full commitment to doing all within the powers of the Federal Government to speedily end the intolerable threats to national security which have necessitated such confrontations. President Jonathan will continue to work with the Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima whom he conferred with last week, to ensure that the people of Baga receive every possible relief and support to facilitate their speedy rehabilitation.

In its preliminary report to the President, the Defence Headquarters stated as follows:

(a)           That the military team involved in the confrontation with Boko Haram elements was the Multinational Joint Task Force. The MNJTF's initial mandate was to conduct military operations in the Lake Chad Region and to facilitate free movement of the member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission across their common border.  The mandate was expanded in April 2012 to include the fight against terrorists. The Task Force's activities are therefore legal and needs to be sustained.
(b)          That whereas media reports averred that the incident of the alleged confrontation between the MNJTF and the Boko Haram Terrorists occurred on April 19, 2013; the incident actually occurred on Tuesday, April 16.(c)           On April 17, MNJTF troops carried out mop up operations at the scene of the attack and recovered the following items abandoned by the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists: rocket-propelled grenade launchers, rocket-                                          propelled grenade bombs, AK 47 rifles, assorted ammunition, several improvised explosive devices and damaged Land Cruiser jeeps.
(d)          That whereas it was  alleged that 185 people were killed by the soldiers of the MNJTF in Baga, Borno state; the assessment team received a briefing from the Commander of the MNJTF on April 24, 2013, during which he stated that 30 terrorists were killed in action. However, six bodies were recovered in Lake Chad about 3 km away from the action spot.(e)           Furthermore, some locals were asked if they could take the assessment team to the mass graves where 185 people were allegedly buried, but the people denied knowledge of such graves. The Chairman of Kukawa LGA was approached on the same issue, he also did not know of such graves.(f)             The Chairman had earlier informed the team that Muslims do not bury more than one body in a grave.
(g)           The media also announced that about 3, 000 houses were burnt. However on the spot assessment revealed that though some houses were burnt, but they were certainly not up to the number quoted. It is pertinent to note that the houses in question are mostly thatched roof houses that could easily catch fire. It is on record that the terrorists employ the tactics of arson wherever they attack.
(h)          There was also the allegation that aid workers were denied access to Baga. This is incorrect as the Red Cross and NEMA officials were already in the town before the Defence Headquarters team arrived. The officials of the two organizations interviewed by the team confirmed that no one prevented them from moving into Baga.The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in response to the President's directive, sent a team to Baga to pave way for immediate humanitarian relief. It reported as follows:

(a)           That the agency identified and set up an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Baga where 642 persons were registered as at April 25, 2013. More people who had earlier fled the community are returning due to improved security and the establishment of various IDPs by the Agency.
(b)          To provide immediate succor to the affected persons, the agency distributed relief materials.
(c)           That the 185 deaths being speculated in the media cannot be substantiated.
(d)          The NEMA team visited the two graveyards in the town, and could only identify in both places, a total of 32 fresh graves.(e)           That a number of buildings and business premises were destroyed in the affected area, but the total number of houses in the town is far less than 1,000.(f)             That there is a lot of misinformation being peddled about the situation in Baga. 

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 30, 2013
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Jonathan didn't create Corruption - Abati

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in this interview with OLALEKAN ADETAYO, speaks on corruption, politics of 2015 and the security challenge in the country among other issues

Some Nigerians, especially members of the opposition, are of the view that President Jonathan is not performing well. What is your take on this?

It is important to identify those you are quoting because in terms of the assessment of this government, there are more people out there that are saying this government is doing well. Only yesterday (Wednesday), the Peoples Democratic Party said they were amazed at the level of the achievements of this administration. They made that statement on the basis of their interactions with ministers who went to present their activities and achievements of their various ministries to the ruling party.

The fact is that the people you are quoting have been very active in trying to deny and misrepresent the achievements of this administration. The truth of the matter is that those people you quoted are partisan and Nigerians should be able to distinguish between truthful statements and partisan statements.

For people who want to grab power, people who want President Jonathan out of office and who want the PDP out of office, you can never expect an objective comment from them. The opinions of those you are quoting can be conveniently discarded as a misrepresentation of the truth or the reality.

The truth of the matter is that this administration has moved Nigeria forward on different fronts. First, to cite a few examples, when President Jonathan took over, the electricity supply situation in the country was in a very bad shape. This government introduced the power sector roadmap, reactivated what it met on the ground and as at this moment, Nigerians have noticed a critical improvement in the electrify situation in the country.

In the rail sector, before the President took over, the sector was completely comatose. Under this President, the sector has been re-energised. Nigerians can now travel from Lagos to Kano, from one part of the country to the other. The few complaints we have heard is that people are saying that it can be further modernised. The truth is that the railway sector that used to be one of the poster agencies for the abandonment of government responsibilities has come back to life.

Nigerians were in this country when the aviation sector was a major centre of scam. The Jonathan administration has taken the bold step to revitalise that sector both in terms of infrastructure and the basic provision of facilities across the country. People who travel by air will tell you the difference.

It is also this administration that allowed the Freedom of Information. Nigerians have never been freer. This government is also responsible for the regime of transparency.

Take the agriculture sector, fertilizer and tractor scam used to be the order of the day and yet agriculture remains at the level of subsistence farming. This President has changed all of that.

Don't you think this administration can do better than it is doing to fight the menace?

The Jonathan administration did not create corruption in Nigeria, it is an inherited problem. Corruption is also not limited to Nigeria. Even the countries and individuals who shout most about corruption, you will see that it is a challenge that they too have to deal with. President Jonathan had admitted recently that corruption is present in Nigeria as it is elsewhere but that is a challenge his administration is tackling. There are many concrete ways in which this administration is fighting corruption.

This administration took up the challenge of the fuel subsidy scam headlong. People will collect allocation to bring in fuel, they will not own any vessel, they will not import any fuel and they will still collect government money. Over the years, previous governments have created a community of rent collectors and this administration said this is pure economic sabotage and it must end. But the propaganda machineries of the beneficiaries and their collaborators insisted that it won't work.

The biggest forms of corruption you can have are at the level of economic sabotage and the second is political corruption. Once you allow political corruption, you will create a lot of problems. This President decided to fight political corruption by insisting that elections must be free and fair. It is only when elections are free that those elected can be accountable. The 2011 general elections were acclaimed to be free and fair. Every subsequent elections conducted under this President's watch have been free and fair and so adjudged by both local and international observers. In Adamawa, Kogi, Sokoto, Edo and Ondo, there were no problems when elections were conducted in those states.

The truth of the matter is that Economic and Financial Crimess Commission made it clear that last year alone, it secured over 200 convictions. Nobody is noting that, they are looking at the cases that have not been resolved. The truth is that there is a clear doctrine of separation of power. Once the agency has initiated action, it is for the judiciary to look into those issues and we all know that in Nigeria the wheel of justice grinds slowly. Those who say this administration is not fighting corruption are not speaking on the basis of fact, they are speaking on the basis of emotion and selective reasoning.

There are reports of the President moving against Governor Rotimi Amaechi as NGF chairman and attempting to install a candidate of his choice ahead of the 2015 elections?

First, the President has not taken any stand on the 2015 elections in terms of his own candidature. The only stand that he has taken is that nobody should drag him into the politics of 2015 at this time. When he decides his involvement in 2015, he will tell Nigerians. Trying to drag him into the politics of 2015 which being fast-tracked by certain ambitious persons is unfair.

The issue of the Nigeria Governors' Forum is really an over-exaggerated matter. The various governors are responsible to people who elected them in their various states. What is the NGF? Is it an association? If it is an association, is it registered? Is the NGF a union? If it is a union, is it registered with the Ministry of Labour? Is it a limited liability company, is it registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission? On what basis are we all elevating the NGF to such a special entity? Is it a collective body voted for by Nigerians? If we say the NGF can validly exist under the umbrella of freedom of assembly and association, what interest is it pursuing? Is it pursuing the interest of the 36 governors collectively? If it is pursuing the interest of the various governors, is there a common interest in Nigeria? Whose interest is that? Is it the interest of the people who voted the governors into power? These are fundamental questions that we should ask. It will be a gross disservice to Nigerians to have a body like the NGF which operates like a trade union. I do not think that in voting the various governors to office, Nigerians envisaged a trade union because that is what that body has turned to. It is not registered anywhere. Is it a political party? As you can see, that NGF looks like a divided body. The politics of the so-called NGF should not be used to measure the political future of President Jonathan.

Why then is the President interested in the person who leads the group?

That is not true. Has the President ever made a comment on the leadership of the Nigeria Governors' Forum? He has never said so. If the governors are congregating, it is their own affair. President Jonathan has never come out to speak on that matter.

Many Nigerians were surprised by the President's sudden change of mind on the proposed amnesty for Boko Haram? Some believe it was a way of wooing the North for the President's 2015 ambition? Why did he change his mind?

I think this obsession with 2015 makes it difficult for people to reason which is very unfortunate. There is a certain reductionism; everything that is done in government is reduced to 2015. Such thing obstructs people's ability to reason.  When the President went to Yobe and Borno states, what he did was to challenge the leadership of the region. The Sultan (of Sokoto) had earlier made a case for amnesty and the President speaking metaphorically said government cannot grant amnesty to ghosts in the sense that government cannot grant amnesty to people that have not even come forward to talk to government.

He had said previously during a media chat that if the people were willing to come forward, the government was willing to talk to them. He used his trip to Yobe and Borno to throw the challenge back to the leaders and they took up the challenge. The clamour for amnesty and dialogue came from the people. The ACF, JNI, Borno Elders and Northern Elders Forum all said they would support government to explore these options. For almost a month, everybody from the North was asking for amnesty.

The President, as a listening one and who believes that public opinion is central to democracy, then said government also has an obligation to listen to them. This is consistent with his position that the challenge of ensuring sustainable peace is not for government alone, it is a collective responsibility.

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Presidency disowns 'Women in Oil' program

Presidency on Thursday disowned a programme tagged "Women in Oil", luring unsuspecting women to invest in shares and oil business to get the profits in 2015.

Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this while addressing State House Press Corps in Abuja.

Abati said President Goodluck Jonathan did not approve of such programme and warned unsuspecting Nigerians against the scam.

He said the programme was intended to dupe the people of their hard earned money.

Abati said the Presidency was not selling such forms or asking people to invest in oil or any programme.

"The general public should be wary of such dubious proposal, invoking the name of the president in vain.

``The president has not asked anybody to go about selling forms and collecting money for people to make certain investments.

"It is in fact very disturbing that certain persons will not see through such scams for what they are and refused to be hoodwinked by persons who are purely opportunistic and who are engaged in purely criminal endeavours,'' he said. (NAN)


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PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES RELEASE OF N5.7 BILLION TO VICTIMS OF 2011 POST ELECTION VIOLENCE IN NINE STATES

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the release of a total sum of N5,747,694,780.00 to nine states of the federation for direct disbursement to those who suffered losses of properties, means of livelihood and places of worship in the post election violence of 2011.

It will be recalled that following the post election violence and civil disturbances in some states after the April 2011 elections President Jonathan set up a Panel of Enquiry headed by Sheik Ahmed Lemu to among other things, identify the spread and extent of losses suffered across the country.

Following the submission of the Lemu Panel's report and its adoption by the Federal Executive Council, the Federal Ministry of Lands and Housing was mandated to assess the reported losses and damage to properties in all affected states.

Based on the Ministry's report, President Jonathan has approved the release of funds to nine of the 14 affected states as follows:

1.      Bauchi                 -        N1,574,879,000.002.    Sokoto                 -        N55,888,506.003.    Zamfara               -        N93,253,485.004.    Niger                    -        N433,375,875.005.     Jigawa                 -        N208,667,634.006.    Katsina                -        N1,973,209,440.007.     Kano                    -        N944,827,000.008.    Adamawa            -        N420,089,840.009.    Akwa Ibom          -        N43,504,000.00Total                -        N5,747,694,780.00

President Jonathan has also directed that an Implementation Committee for the disbursement of the funds to beneficiaries in  the nine states be constituted as follows:

1.      Executive Governor  or Deputy Governor        -        Chairman2.    Representative of State Government                -        Member3.    Secretary of the Sheik Lemu Panel                   -        Member4.    Representative of the OSGF                              -        Member5.     Representative of the FMLH&UD                    -        MemberInspection and assessment of damages and losses suffered are yet to be carried out in Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa states as modalities and further instructions for the exercise are still being expected from the state governments.

Funds to cover the losses sustained by victims of the post election violence in these five states will be approved and released at the conclusion of the assessment exercise.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 25, 2013
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INAUGURATION OF COMMITTEE ON SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE NORTH BROUGHT FORWARD, NEW MEMBER APPOINTED

The inauguration by President Goodluck Jonathan of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North and the Committee on Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons originally scheduled for 10 AM tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 has been brought forward to 9 AM.

President Jonathan has also approved the inclusion of Barrister Aisha Wakil as a member of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North which has been given the task of identifying and constructively engaging key leaders of Boko Haram, and developing a workable framework for amnesty and disarmament of members of the group.

As earlier announced, the inauguration of both committees will take place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa. All members of both committees are expected to be seated by 08:30 AM  in readiness for the prompt commencement of the inauguration at  09:00 AM.

Members of the committees who reside outside the Federal Capital Territory are advised to arrive in Abuja today ahead of tomorrow's inauguration.

On arrival in Abuja, they may contact Mrs. Esther Gonda, Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for further information and logistics support.

Mrs. Gonda can be reached on

+2348033094325.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 23, 2013
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PRESIDENT JONATHAN ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO REPORTS OF HIGH CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN BAGA

Having received preliminary briefings from the Military High Command on the incident, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a full-scale investigation into reports of high civilian casualties in the confrontation between Nigerian soldiers and insurgents at Baga in Borno State at the weekend.
While the preliminary briefings indicate that the casualty figures being reported by the foreign media may be grossly exaggerated, President Jonathan assures Nigerians and the global community that the Federal Government of Nigeria places the highest possible value on the lives of all citizens of the country and that his administration will continue to do everything possible to avoid the killing or injuring of innocent bystanders in security operations against terrorists and insurgents.
Rules of engagement for the military and security agencies are already in place for this purpose and the investigation ordered by President Jonathan into the incident in Baga is to amongst other things, determine whether or not these rules were fully complied with.
The President has also ordered the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and Federal health agencies to liaise with the Borno State Government and take urgent steps to provide immediate relief and medical support for all who suffered losses and injury in the fighting at Baga.
He commiserates with all those who have regrettably lost their lives in the fighting, including the soldiers who gallantly made the supreme sacrifice in the operation against terrorism, insurgency and insecurity in Nigeria.
The President is deeply pained by the continuance of these needless deaths and will continue to do all within his powers to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in all parts of the country.
It is his hope and expectation that the National Committee which he will inaugurate on Wednesday for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in the North will contribute significantly to ending the continuous  loss of lives to wasteful violence.
  
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 22, 2013

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PRESIDENT JONATHAN SIGNS POWER REFORM TRANSACTION

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL POWER REFORM TRANSACTION SIGNING SUMMIT, AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA ON 22ND APRIL, 2015.

PROTOCOLS

1. I would like to warmly welcome all of you, our friends and partners, to this important signing summit of the Presidential Power Reform Transaction.

2. To underscore our government's commitment to transparency, our renewed emphasis on inclusiveness in core transactions and sustain the current tempo of transformation in the power sector, it became imperative that the meeting be publicly held here, instead of doing it in the confines of the offices of the transacting parties.

3. Today's event signals a major step forward in the implementation of our Power Sector Roadmap. I congratulate the signing parties for reaching this significant target in our collective efforts to revitalize this sector, which is so important to our lives and development. I must also commend all private sector players for their commitment to and confidence in our economy. Your zeal and presence here today, is an ample proof of your endorsement and confidence in the implementation and progress so far, of our power reform Agenda.

4. I can assure you that in spite of daunting challenges, we will not waver in the commitment that has seen the fundamentals of our economy advancing, compared to several economies around the world. We continue to command prime attention as a preferred long-term investment destination in Africa and our electricity sector, in particular, maintains its promise of reasonable returns on investment and ease of entry, for all interested investors.

5. I must acknowledge that since I effectively kick-started the power reform agenda in August 2010 with the launching of the Power Sector Reform Roadmap, and bearing in mind the scale and complexity of our power sector, considerable progress has been made.

6. The Presidential Action Committee on Power (PACPL) has provided a viable platform for the required focus on the priority policy issues needed to reinforce confidence among investors. Today, we are encouraged by the sustained interest in the sector and the meaningful investments that have been prompted in gas processing, power generation, power distribution and transmission.

7. I am certain that the high value projects signed today and previously, will impact positively on the rest of the power sector, and the overall national economy. This would also go a long way in boosting the growing market confidence in the power sector.

8. Our driving role as a government will be pursued with greater determination and we will continue to follow through on the policies, guidelines and regulatory structures required to ensure the steady growth of the market. We must remember that in the telecommunications and banking industries, where there have been exponential changes and beneficial expansion, the complex web of trading regimes evolved out of the ingenuity of the market participants themselves.

9. Government will therefore, not design the market structures for the Nigerian electricity industry. What we have done so far and will continue to do is to set the rules of the game and act as a responsible facilitator and regulator.

10. Government institutions such as the National Council of privatization (NCP), Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE), National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria Gas Company, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) and even the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) are merely to work with all potential investors and create the pathway for them to deal transparently amongst themselves.

11. To fellow Nigerians, my dear brothers and sisters, this age long problem of inadequate power supply will be brought to an end. We are dealing in a very dedicated way with much overdue infrastructural and corporate upgrades, and despite the challenges, we are making steady progress each day, towards permanent and lasting correction. Nigerians must have electricity for domestic and industrial use and there is no turning back and there is no relenting.

12. This Government cares about you and will not rest until you can sleep well at night without the irritating noise of generators. Let me reassure all Nigerians, that working in concert with our partners, we will continue to pursue the reform of the Power Sector with intensity, vigour and determination; there is no shortcut possible.

13. This is a significant event. I call on all sector agencies to redouble their efforts, sustain their vigilance, and increase the level of cooperation and synergy amongst themselves required for the earliest completion and delivery of the structures and services, that will meet the needs and expectations of our population.

14. Nigerians deserve the best and we cannot afford to offer less.

15. I thank you.
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PRESIDENT JONATHAN COMMISSIONS WEMPCO STEEL MILLS

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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF WEMPCO STEEL MILLS CO LTD, IBAFON, OGUN STATE, ON THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2013. 

PROTOCOLS

1.            I am delighted to be here today to commission this Cold Steel Rolling Mill built by Wempco Steel Mills Limited, which is probably the single largest private sector investment in the steel sector in Nigeria. 

2.            This event marks yet another milestone in our determination to reposition our steel sector to play a pivotal role in our march towards industrialization and national transformation. I, therefore, congratulate Wempco Group for this huge and productive investment. 

  3.            By constructing this 700,000 metric tones per annum Cold Rolled Steel Mill here in Ibafon, Ogun State, to compliment your existing investments in the country, WEMPCO has demonstrated strong belief and confidence in our economy. I thank you for keeping faith with our country. 

4.            Steel is at the heart of any national economic development endeavour. As we all know, it is one of the most important materials used widely for both domestic and industrial purposes throughout the world. A vibrant steel sector contributes to GDP growth, facilitates exploitation of natural resources and generates economic activities in downstream industries. It also promotes job creation, the acquisition of technical skills, transfer of technology and the provision of machine parts and tools. In fact, no nation can industrialize without a vibrant iron and steel sector. 

5.            Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, with increasing globalization and the growing strategic importance of Nigeria as a key emerging market, we are ever determined to provide the necessary incentives and support for the growth of the private sector.   6.            We are committed to improving our investment climate by providing and upgrading necessary infrastructure such as power, roads and rail. Our aim is to keep attracting Foreign and Local Direct Investment into key sectors of the economy that will create jobs, stimulate private sector growth, continuous technology transfer, and ultimately economic growth and wealth for Nigerians and Nigeria. 

7.            Government will continue to encourage investors and investments in this and other sectors for the good of our country and her great people. We shall continue to support genuine investors that show interest in investing in Nigeria. We expect investors to reciprocate this gesture by showing greater dedication as well as transparency in their investment operations. 

8.            We are also working assiduously to bring the security challenges currently facing us under control. Reports from around the world indicate an unacceptable manifestation of insecurity largely orchestrated by individuals who have no love for peace and harmony among members of humanity. In this regard, we will continue to collaborate with our friends and allies to bring this menace of insecurity to an end. 

9.            Ladies and Gentlemen, the steel sector offers immense economic opportunities for our country, which we have not fully exploited. This administration, however, aims to reposition this industry. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in conjunction with other MDAs, has developed an Industrial revolution Plan, which has identified the Iron and Steel Industry as a focal sector. This plan aims to develop the complete ecosystem of this sub-sector. 

10.       In addition, this administration has approved the Minerals and Metals Development Road Map, which was recently presented to the general public stipulating time-bound targets for the Minerals & Metals Sector. This document articulates the strategies to be adopted to ensure the accomplishment of the set objectives of increasing steel production in Nigeria, which is targeted at 3 million tonnes of liquid steel production by the end of this year and progressively increase to 12 million tonnes of liquid steel by the year 2020.  

11.       I would like to assure existing and prospective investors of government support as we collectively strive for self-sufficiency in local steel production. I strongly believe that self-sufficiency will open major downstream sector activities with the attendant massive job opportunities and economic empowerment for our engineers, technicians, artisans, fabricators alike. 

12.       You all may recall that a few years ago, we had less than 5 functioning steel rolling mills and no cold rolled steel mill, but today there are more than 15 functioning steel rolling mills producing reinforced bars and 3 functioning cold rolled steel mills producing cold rolled flat sheet of which Wempco is one of them. 

13.       It is my hope that Wempco will continue to strive to expand its current production capacity to gradually meet the nation's demand for flat steel sheets. I want to encourage Wempco to within the shortest possible time embark on full backward integration so as to produce Hot Rolled steel, which is the major raw material for producing Cold Rolled steel. 

14.       May I seize this opportunity to emphasize the need to patronize made-in-Nigeria products. We must support our industries and change our appetite for foreign made goods. This way, we shall all contribute our individual quotas towards the economic growth of our country and jobs and wealth creation for our kith and kin. 

15.       I urge you all to join hands with the Government to pursue the goals and aspirations of the Transformation Agenda as this remains the blue print to our economic emancipation. It is on this note, I wish to congratulate once again, the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Wempco Steel Mill on this outstanding accomplishment. 

16.       Finally, I congratulate the Governor, the Government and people of Ogun State on another landmark achievement in this great state. I thank you for sustaining a conducive and business friendly environment that promotes economic activities in the state. I look forward to coming again in the very near future. 

17.       Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen, I now have the pleasure to formally commission WEMPCO STEEL MILLS  COMPANY LIMITED'S COLD ROLLED STEEL PLANT to the glory of God and the benefit of the economy, investors and all Nigerians. 

16. I thank you.

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ALLEGED PLANS TO DISRUPT ACN CONVENTION IN LAGOS WITH PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TOTALLY BASELESS

We find it hard to believe that any patriotic and right-thinking Nigerian would  have written the kind of publicly circulated letter reportedly sent to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola by the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in which he attempts to dictate President Jonathan's itinerary, mode of transportation within Lagos, and motive, and even suggests that the President's visit could have been  designed to frustrate a planned Action Congress  of Nigeria convention and merger with some other political parties.  

The allegation is not only baseless, but another in the series of 'wolf crying' that has become the sole strategy and pre-occupation of the ACN. It is clearly a deliberate, further attempt to undermine, ridicule and debase the office of the President of the Federal Republic.A courteous and simple discussion of the phantom potential conflict of programmes with appropriate officials of the Presidency would have sufficed to inform the ACN and its officials that President Jonathan is only transiting through Lagos tomorrow on his way to the commissioning of the WEMPCO Cold Roll Steel Plant in Ibafo, Ogun State.

In point of fact, President Jonathan's visit tomorrow which was scheduled long before the ACN convention will have absolutely no effect whatsoever on the convention as he will only touchdown at the airport, transit to Ibafo (miles away from the ACN convention venue) by chopper and return to the airport the same way for his flight back to Abuja.

It is certain that Governor Fashola was already aware of President Jonathan's itinerary in Lagos tomorrow since in keeping with protocol, the Presidency always briefs state governments well ahead of time on all Presidential movements to their states. Alhaji Lai Mohammed's letter was therefore pointless and serves no purpose other than distasteful muck-raking.   

Furthermore, the Presidency completely rejects the insinuation in the deliberately leaked letter that the President's visits to Lagos are always disruptive. The paranoia displayed by the ACN in its plea to Governor Fashola concerning an imaginary plan to scuttle a political merger is beneath the politics of inclusiveness this administration has encouraged in its interaction with the state, as with all other states of the Federal Republic.

President Jonathan is President of the whole of Nigeria.  It is strange and intolerable that any political party would as much as suggest that the President is not welcome in any state, city or local council in any part of the country at any time or date.

We have no doubts whatsoever therefore that Governor Fashola will prove to be much wiser and more mature than the ACN spokesman, and consign his letter to the dustbin.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 17, 2013
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PRESIDENT JONATHAN SETS UP COMMITTEES ON BOKO HARAM AND OTHER SECURITY CHALLENGES

Following the consideration yesterday by the National Security Council of the report of the technical committee it set up to review fresh modalities for addressing security challenges in the North, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to constructively engage key members of Boko Haram and define a comprehensive and workable framework for resolving the crisis of insecurity in the country.

The Committee's terms of reference will include developing a framework for the granting of amnesty; setting up of a framework through which disarmament could take place within a 60-day time frame; the development of a comprehensive victims' support programme, and the development of mechanisms to address the underlying causes of insurgencies that will help to prevent future occurrences.

President Jonathan has also approved the constitution of a Federal Government committee on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in keeping with his pledge that Nigeria will work with the United Nations and other countries to stem the worrisome proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and their use in creating insecurity and instability in Nigeria and other developing nations.

The composition of the two committees is as follows:

COMMITTEE ON DIALOGUE AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE NORTH

1. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties-Chairman
2. Sheik Ahmed Lemu-Member
3. Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed-Member
4. Col. Musa Shehu, (rtd.)-Member
5. Sheik Abubakar Tureta -Member
6. Dr.Datti Ahmed-Member
7. Senator Sodangi Abubakar-Member
8. Senator Ahmed Makarfi- Member
9. Hon. Mohammed Bello Matawalle-Member
10. Amb. Zakari Ibrahim-Member
11. Comrade Shehu Sani-Member
12. Hajiya Naja'atu Mohammed-Member
13. Malam Adamu S. Ladan-Member
14. Dr. Joseph Golwa-Member
15. AVM A. I. Shehu-Member
16. Mr. R. I. Nkemdirim-Member
17. DIG P. I. Leha-Member
18. Prof. Nur Alkali-Member
19. Malam Salihu Abubakar-Member
. Alhaji Abubakar Sani Lugga-Member
I. Barrister Ibrahim Tahir-Member
II. Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo-Member
III. Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda-Member
IV. Group Capt. Bilal Bulama, rtd. -Member
V. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi-Member
VI. Representative of OSGF-Secretary

COMMITTEE ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS

1. Amb. Emmanuel Imohe-(Chairman)
2. Amb. Martin I. Uhomoibhi-Member
3. Amb. T. Dan Hart-Member
4. Amb. Ghali Umar-Member
5. Amb. B. G. Wakil-Member
6. Mr. Opelusi Olureti-Member
7. Representative of Ministry of Interior -Member
8. Representative of NSA-Member
9. Representative of DG (SSS)-Member
10. Representative of NIA-Member
11. Representative of Federal Ministry of Justice -Member
12. Representative of Ministry of Defence -Member
13. Representative of DIA -Member
14. Representative of the Nigeria Police Force -Member
15. Representative of the Nigerian Customs Service -Member
16. Representative of OSGF -Member
17. Director, International Organisations Dept (MFA) - Secretary

Both committees will be formally inaugurated by President Jonathan at 10 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 17, 2013
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